Move on over popsicles and ice cream, this strawberry basil granita is summer’s new favorite frozen treat. No special tools or equipment necessary. All you need is a freezer!
Granita is an Italian frozen dessert known for its coarse flakey, icy texture. It is a light and refreshing treat prefect any time of the year. This version is flavored with ripe strawberries and a hint of basil. Easily customize this recipe using your choice of fruits!
My childhood friends and I were making granitas way before we even knew what it was. Growing up I loved drinks that came in cool containers: think Squeezit, Capri Sun, and Kool-Aid Bursts. Yes, definitely not the most healthy choices, but those were our favorites.
During summer months, we would raid the fridge and combine different juices and soft drinks to create even sweeter concoctions. We would make such a large batch that we’d end up freezing a ton of leftovers. For the next couple of days, we’d grab spoons and start shaving the frozen juices and to make homemade slushies.
Unlike popsicles and ice cream which require additional tools or equipment, very little is needed to make granita at home. All you really need is a baking dish (such as bread loaf pan or casserole dish) and a freezer. Let’s get started!
Ingredients
This recipe is super simple. You need fresh strawberries, lemon juice, water, and basil infused simple syrup.
The basil simple syrup is a mixture of water, sugar, and basil cooked together. Easily omit the basil if you don’t want that flavor. Or, sub in your favorite herb or spice of choice!
To make the liquid base, blender together all the ingredients. If you prefer, you may strain out the little strawberry seeds. Otherwise, if they don’t bother you, no need to strain.
Recipe Options
Out of ripe strawberries? No worries. This recipe works well with a variety of fruits. Substitute in raspberries, mango, or try a mixture of berries! This works best with fresh fruits. Thawed frozen fruits just don’t turn out the same way.
This also works with fresh juices such as orange juice, grapefruit juice, or pineapple juice.
For a very flavorful pick-me-up, try espresso granita served with vanilla ice cream.
How to Freeze Granita
No special tools needed to make granita!
You can use any freezer safe dish for granita. I used a metal bread loaf pan because it fits nicely in my freezer. You can use casserole dishes, baking pans, or pie tins.
Just remember, the larger the surface area and shallower the pan, the quicker the granita will freezer. Since I used a loaf pan, it took a little bit longer for the granita to set up.
Pour the liquid into your desired dish and place it in the freezer. Check on the mixture every 30 minutes. Each time, remove the dish from the freezer and scrape up any icy bits have begun to form.
After about an hour, the mixture will look creamy like a sorbet. After about 90 minutes, it should more like shaved ice.
That’s it! In about 2 hours, you’ll have this delicious and refreshing strawberry basil granita.
If you’re in the festive mood, go ahead a pop a bottle of Prosecco or any sparkling wine. Top off a glass full of this granita for one delicious mimosa or bellini!
More Strawberry Desserts
Strawberry Basil Granita
Ingredients
- 1 pound fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced
- 3 Tablespoon lemon juice, (42 g)
- ¼ cup water, (57 g)
- ½ cup basil simple syrup , (145 g), recipe follows
Basil Simple Syrup:
- 1 cup water, (227 g)
- 1 cup granulated sugar, (200 g)
- ¼ cup basil leaves, torn
Instructions
- In a blender, combine strawberries, lemon juice, and water. Process until smooth. Add simple syrup, stir to combine. Taste and adjust sweetness by adding more syrup if necessary.
- Pour liquid mixture into a freezer safe pan*. Freeze for 30 minutes. Remove from freezer and use a fork to stir up icy liquid. Return to freezer and remove every 30 minutes to scrape contents. It should take about 90 minutes to 2 hours until the mixture has turned into ice crystals and looks like an icy slushy . Serve immediately, or cover and enjoy later.
Basil Simple Syrup:
- Combine water, sugar, and basil in a saucepan. Bring to a simmer and continue to heat until sugar has dissolved. Remove from heat and allow to cool to room temperature. Strain out basil and store simple syrup in the fridge until ready to use. Keeps for one week.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Like this recipe? Rate & comment below!
How many cups of cucumber pulp would it be?
The cucumber version can be found here: https://www.thelittleepicurean.com/cucumber-sorbet/
This is great recipe for hot summer days! I will try this :)
Maryanne, haha, my brother, sister and I did the same thing as kids! :P I love this granita recipe!!! this will be perfect for our Memorial Day festivities! beautiful!
Strawberries are my fave thing ever. Looking at this is making me unbelievably hungry. I love the hint of basil in this!
Okay remember how I just told you about Tebo tebo???!!! I forgot to mention that they have the yummiest “sweet and dessert-y” teas ever! I actually don’t enjoy sweet drinks (for the most part) but when I had a sip–or two, or three, of my friend’s green tea with fruit and basil seeds I was like–everybody! stop the world. right now! And this reminds me of it bc of the fruity component and basil. And btw! not sure if you saw my email but i can’t wait to meet you someday! ;))
This looks so deliciously refreshing! I want to leap through my screen and grab some of that right now :D
You are my go-to frozen gal. You just know how to make ’em! Can I come over?
Thanks Sarah! I’ll be the frozen treats, you bring the brownies and we’ll make it a PARTY!
These photos are gorgeous! I want to jump right in with a spoon and taste it for myself! Luckily my parents and my sister live down the road from a strawberry farm and as soon as the season starts I will have my hands on some farm fresh berries to try out this gorgeous granita for myself :) So delicious!
Also, my sister and I used to make ‘granita’ too, in Australia we have an ice block called a Sunny Boy and the orange ones were the best flavour!
Thanks Amy! There was a big strawberry festival in nearby Oxnard this weekend, hence the abundance of strawberries! I just googled SunnyBoy, and I think I’d definitely like that “granita” :)